Nine arrests as police lead blitz on drug crime

NINE people were arrested during a series of raids to tackle drug crime in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

South Wales Police led a day of action involving several organisations to tackle crime across the region, with warrants executed, arrests made and drugs seized.

Police officers were joined by colleagues from British Transport Police (BTP) and partners from the local authorities, housing providers and drug treatment agencies.

Chief inspector Mathew Lewis, who led the multiagency operation, said: “We work closely with our partners on a daily basis, but this was the first time we have taken this approach for our days of action, and it has been a great success.

“I’d also like to reassure the communities of Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot that this was not a one-off operation.

“We are committed to tackling county lines and making our communities safer and work to do this is a daily priority.”

There were nine arrests for offences including possession of Class A and Class B drugs with the intent to supply, drugs possession and failure to appear at court.

Among those arrested were two youths believed to be involved in county lines drug supply – the drug trafficking into our area from London and other major cities.

Four drug warrants were executed and 20 stop-searches were also carried out. Multiple people were also tested by a drug itemiser at Swansea railway station. There were also three street warnings for cannabis issued during the operation.

Carried out over several days under the codename Op Cristo, it forms part of South Wales Police’s force-wide Operation Avalanche. The approach saw representatives from each agency joining the police’s daily briefings to share intelligence, as each organisation makes tackling county lines and protecting vulnerable residents, a priority for them.

Mr Lewis added: “From the very first briefing, it was clear that every partner is committed to tackling county lines, and ridding our communities of drug dealers and protecting those who are vulnerable or who fall victim to their ruthless exploitation.

“These days of action were primarily about raising awareness of county lines amongst the public, getting people to recognise the signs and ensuring people know who to share their suspicions with.

“We know people are often scared or reluctant to report to police, but we want people to know that they can also talk to their local housing officer, for example. The important thing is that they tell someone, because we can’t act upon things we don’t know about.